• Handicaps: What you need to know

    Handicaps
    Registered round percentage in blue

    Last month Handicaps Network Africa introduced the Registered Rounds Percentage score to ensure all scores are entered on the system – here’s what you need to know about the changes.

    Clubs are supposed to register or open a round on the handicap system before a player plays at their course to combat players not entering their good rounds or entering scores without playing.

    The blue Registered Rounds figure can be found near the top of the screen on the handicaps app, handicaps website and the handicap terminal and reflects the number of rounds a golfer has opened as a percentage of the counting scores.

    The HNA explain via a Q & A …

    Why do we want people to open their rounds?

    We believe that the best way to eradicate – or at least identify – handicap manipulators is to get all clubs to register (open) their players’ rounds before they play. This will help eliminate instances where golfers conveniently forget to record their better round scores, or perhaps even add phantom rounds that were never played.

    I didn’t even know about Registered Rounds and now my low score makes me look bad. Will people think I’m a cheat?

    Since we launched all Registered Rounds Percentage at 100%, the chances are that most scores are still very high. Some might even remain at 100%. However, there could be some golfers who missed the communication and have seen their percentage drop significantly.

    This does not in any way imply that you are a cheat, but it is advisable to get into the habit of making sure your club registers your round by opening it on the handicap system in order to avoid your percentage slipping further.

    How do I get my Registered Rounds Percentage back up?

    It’s simple – make sure you head to the pro shop and ask them to register (open) your round on the system each and every time you play. In no time you will knock out those unregistered rounds and get your percentage back up again.

    My club is unable to open a round before I tee off, what do I do?

    All clubs in South Africa have the ability to open a round, either via their Handicaps Terminal’s Open Round button (if enabled), via their club’s system or through the club’s administration website.

    Clubs can also make use of our free Open Round Registration Software, which can be loaded onto any PC, and should be placed close to the Players’ Registration office. All this requires is an Internet connection and card reader.

    Does my Registered Rounds Percentage affect my handicap?

    Not at all – the figure is only there to show how often you have gone through the right channels when you have played, by having the club open your round.

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